Bianchi v. South Park Presbyterian Church

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Heher, J.

The fundamental question at issue is whether a religious society is exempt from liability for damages to a nonmember beneficiary of its incidental philanthropy who suffers injury by reason of its negligence in the management of a house used as an appurtenance to its church.

The defendant society was organized on January 31st, 1853, under the provisions of an enactment entitled “An act to incorporate trustees of religious societies,” Revision of April 17th, 1846 (Rev. Siat. 1846-1847, p. 152), applicable to “every religious society or…